Extension-bed for photographic cameras.



N0. 682,08l. Patented Spi. 3, |90l. C. HUTCHINGS. EXTENSIUII BED FOB PHUTDGRAPHIG GAMEBAS.

(Application lod Jan. 17, X901.)

3 Shana-Sheet l.

(No Model.)

No. 682,08I. Patented SeptQB, |90I.

- C. HUTCHINBS.

EXTENSIDII BED F08 PHUTDGRAPHIC CAMERAS.

(Lppliticn filed Jin. 17, 1901.)

(lo Model.) 3 Sheets-Shut 2.

j A 3 I I 0o 4 9 .5

No. 682,08I. Patented Sept. 3, |90I. C. HUTCHINGS.

EXTENSIUN BED F08 PHUTOERAPHIC CAIERAS.

(Application Med Jan. 17, 1901.)

3 Sheets-Sheet 3 (N Nudel.)

mm.. wuumomu, n, c.

UNITED STATES PATENT OEEICE.

CHARLES HUTOHINGS, OF ROCH-ESTER, NEV YORK, ASSIGNOR TO ROCHES- TER OPTICAL AND OAMERACOMPANY, OF SAME PLACE.

EXTENSION-BED FOR PHOTOGRAPHIC CAMERAS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N o. 682,081, dated September 3, 1901.

Application filed January 17, 1901. Serial No. 43,638. (No model.)

To all whom, t may concern,.- 3 is formed of parallel longitudinal bars 5,

Be it known that I, CHARLES HUTOHINGS, a spaced apart by end pieces 6, the whole formcitizen of the United States, residing at Roching a skeleton rectangular frame. The inner ester, in the county of Monroe and State of faces of the longitudinal side members ofthe 55 5 NewYork, have invented new and useful Imsection are provided with guideways 7, in

provements in Extension Beds for Photowhich a second extension section 8 is argraphic Cameras, of which the following is a ranged to move or slide. The extension-secspecification. tions 3 and S are each provided on their un- Myinvention relates toimprovementsin exder face with parallel racks 9, those of the 6o lo tension-beds for photographic cameras, and section 3 being arranged outside the racks of has for its object to provide such a bed comthe extension 8. The bed-plate is provided posed of a plurality of extension-sections in with a series ot' grooves 10 to accommodate gear with operating mechanism and provided the racks in the movement of the extensionwith means whereby when one section is exsections. An open-shaft channel 1l leads in 65 x5 tended to its limit it is automatically locked from the side of the hed-plate 1, and movably to the other and held immovable or rigid to fitted therein is a pinion-shaft 12, provided afford a firm support for the lenscarrier and willi an extended pinion 13, the teeth of which its appurtenances,and whereby when said secare exposed in the open mouth of the chantion is to be retracted it is automatically unnel for engagement with and operation of the 7o 2o locked from the other section, which in turn racks 9 of the sections, whereby the latter is then automaticallylocked to the bed-plate, are extended from or retracted into the bedso as to be held immovable-in other words, plate. The pinion-shaft is provided with a to provide an extension-hed for photographic finger-piece 14 for facility of rotation and is cameras composed of aplurality of extensible shiftable in its channel, so that said nger- 75 25 sections and means for automatically locking piece may be housed within a seat 15 in the either of said sections immovable when the bed-plate when the camera is closed and be other is free to be adj usted. withdrawn from said seat when the bed-plate To said end my invention consists in the is swung open and the extension-sections are novel construction, combination, arrangeto be manipulated. By arranging the parts 8o 3o ment, and operation of part-s hereinafter deas described it will be seen that the sections scribed, and set forth in the following claims. may be adjusted simply and with facility, as My invention is illustrated in the accomthe racks of both are adapted to mesh with panying drawings, in whichthe pinion of the single shaft.

Figure 1 is a top plan view showing the sec- It is designed, in the operation of extend- 85 35 tions extended and partly broken away to ing the bed of the camera to afford support illustrate interior parts. Fig. 2 is a longitu-v for the lens-carrier and appurtenances, that dinal sectional view showing the sections exthe section S shall first be extended by rotatended and locked together; Fig. 3, a similar tion of the pinion-shaft, the pinion of which View showing the same parts in different pois in mesh with the racks of said section, and 9o 4o sitions. Fig. 4@ is a bottom plan View. Fig. that in cases where the proper focus demands 5 is a cross-sectional View, and Fig. 6 an elea more extended bed than that afforded by vation of the bed extended and supporting a the capacity of extension of section 8 further camera lens-carrier. extension shall be made by projecting the In the said drawings the numeral 1 indisection 3. This sequence of operation is ac- 95 45 cates the bed-plate, which in the preferred complished by interrupting the teeth of the form of my invention consists of the hinged racks of the section 3, as shown at 16, or, in front of a photographic camera. It is proother words, said racks are mutilated for this vided with a channel 2, in which is arranged purpose and the tail ends of the racks of the to move or slide an extension-section 3, held section S intersect the line connecting the in- 10o 5o in the channel and guided therein by means terruptions or mutilations. It will thus be of confining or guide strips et. This section seen that at all times until the section 8 has reached the limit of its extension and been locked, as hereinafter described, the pinion 13 lies in the mutilations or interruptions of the racks of section 3, so that the latter is not influenced by the rotation of said pinion.

When the section 8 is extended to its limit, it is essential for the proper firm support of the lens-carrier and its appurtenances that said section shall be held rigidly and immovable without liability or possibility of looseness or shifting, and this is secured automatically byla novel arrangement of locking means. Alocking-plate 17, having an incline 1'7" thereon, is secured to the outer end piece 6 of the section 3 and is composed ot' spring metal, its free end in advance of said incline lying within the plane of the under face of the section 8 and provided with a plurality of perforations 18. The lockingplate is normally and automatically in engagement with r a stud or pin 19, carried by the section 8 when said section is extended, as clearly shown in the drawings, and thus the extension-section 8 is rml y locked to the section 3, so that it is immovable or iixed and affords a tirm support for the lens-carrier. The stud or pin 19 is secured to a plate 19, located in a recess in the section 8, which plate has an ineline 19b thereon, as clearly shown. When the proper focus'requires that the lens-carrier and its appurtenances be supported beyond the limit or capacity of extension of the section 8, the section 3 is projected, its initial movement being accomplished by engagement ofthe tail ends of the racks of section 8 with the pinion, which intersect the line between the mutilations or interruptions 16 of the racks of the section 3. When the mutilated portions have passed, the pinion is in engagement with the teeth of the racks of section 3, and the latter, by rotation of said pinion, may be extended to its limit or to any intermediate point,a'stl1e occasion may require, and is held in such position of extension by means of a binding-pin 20, which lis projected into effective engagement with the section 3 by rotation of a thumb-nut 2l.

It is essential when the section 8 is extended to its limit and locked to t-he section 3 and it is desired to retract said section 8 that its locking engagement with the section 3 shall be released, and this is accomplished automatically by providingI a lock-shifter 22, which is formed with or secured to the bedplate l and arranged in the path of the locking-plate 17, a passage 17 being provided therefor in the section 8, and the surface of the section 8 on each side of said passage lying in the same plane with the summit of the incline 19, asshown at 20a. This lock-shifter exerts a cam action on the plate 17 when the pinion is rotated to retract the section 8 and pulls said plate from its engagement with'the stud or pin 19 of the section 8, leaving the latter free to be retracted by the rotation of the pinion-shaft. When the lock or catch is released from its engagement with the stud or pin 19, carried by the section 8 in the maiiner just described, and the section 8 is slightly retracted independently of the section 3, the incline 19b on the plate 19a is brought into engagement with the incline 17b on the locking-plate 17, and the free end of the latter is thereby forced downwardly, so as to bring one of its perforations 18 into engagement with a stud or pin 23, projecting from the bed-plate just in advance of the lock-release 22, whereby the section 3 is immovably locked to said bed-plate. This locking action between these two parts is maintained by the engagement of the surfaces20a of the section 8 with the incline 17". The arrangement ot locking mechanism and releasing mechanism thus serves to automatically hold the section 3 immovable at all times while the section 8 is being independently extended or retracted, and also automatically locks the section 8 firmly to the section 3 when the former is at its limit of extension and at all times during the extension or retraction of the section 3.

The numeral 21 indicates a perforation in the bed-plate for engaging means carried by the tripod to support the camera, and the numerals 25 land 26 designate stops at one end of the channel 2, in which the section 3 moves to prevent the entire withdrawal of said section. The stop 25 may be secured at one end only, the other end being free, in which casev the binding-pin 20, when projected, forces said stop into engagement with the section 3, providing an extended frictional contact for holding the section in any adjusted position. Y

My invention affords a novel, simple, and compact entension bed for photographic cameras, which is provided with an efticient automatic sefeguard, whereby its sections are lirmly locked together when extended to aord a firm support for the lens-carrier and appurtenances and wherein the locking means is automatically shifted to lock either of the sections im movably while the other is being adjusted. j

Having thus described my invention, what Iclaim is 1. In an extension-bed for cameras,the combination with a plurality of sections and means for extending the same, of a locking device for connecting said sections with each other, and means for releasing said locking device from its engagement with one of said sections and throwing it into locking engagement with the part on which said sections are supported, as and for the purpose set forth.

2. In an extension-bed forcameras,the combination with a plurality of sections and means for extending the same, of a locking device carried by one of said sections and adapted to coperate with the other of said sections and with the part on which said sections are supported, and means for releasing said locking device from the part with which it is in engagement and for throwing it into IOO IIO

locking engagement with the other, as and for the purpose set forth.

3. In an extension-bed for cameras,the combination with a plurality of sections and means for extending the same, of a locking device carried by one of said sections and adapted to cooperate with the other of said sections and with the su pport forsaid sections, means on said support for releasing said locking device from its engagement with one of said sections, and means on one of said sections for throwing the same into locking engagement with said support, as and for the purpose set forth.

it. In an extension-bed for cameras,the combination with a plurality of sections and means for extending the same, of a locking device carried by one of said sections, cooperating means therefor on the other of said sections and on the support for said sections, means for releasing said locking device from its engagement with the cooperating means on said section, and means on one of said sections for throwing the locking device into locking engagement with the cooperating means on said support, as and for the purpose set forth.

5. In an extension-bed for cameras,the combination with a plurality of sections, means forextending the same and asupport on which said sections are mounted, of a locking device. for locking one of said sections to said support, the said locking device being automatically disengaged from said support and thrown into locking engagement with both of said sections, when the other of said sections reaches the limit of its movement in one direction, as and for the purpose set forth.

6. In an extensionbed for cameras,the combination with a plurality of sections, means for extending the same and asupport on which said sections are mounted, of a locking device for locking one of said sections to said support, the said device being normally maintained in such locking position by the other of said sections and automatically disengaged therefrom and thrown into locking engagement with both of said sections when said other section reaches the limit of its movement in one direction, as and for the purpose set forth.

7. In an extension-bed for cameras, the combination with a plurality pf sections, means for extending the same and a support on which said sections are mounted, of a spring locking device for locking one of said sections to said support, and engaging means on the other of said sections for normally maintaining` said device in such locking position, the said device automatically springing out ofengagement with said support and into locking engagement with both of said sections when the engaging means on said other section passes out of contact with the same, as and for the purpose set forth.

8. In an extension-bed for cameras, the conlbination with a plurality of sections, means for extending the same and a support on which said sections are mounted, of a spring locking-plate secured to one of said sections and having an incline thereon, and cooperating locking means for said plate on said support, and on the other of said sections, the latter section having a recess therein for receiving said plate, and having an incline thereon adjacent to said recess, the said other section normally bearing against said plate and serving to maintain the same in locking engagement with the cooperating means on said support, and said recess permitting said plate to spring out of engagement with said support and into locking engagement with the cooperating means on said other section, when the latter is moved so as to bring the incline thereon opposite the incline on said plate, as and for the purpose set forth.

0. In an extension-bed for cameras, the combination with a plurality of sections, means for extending the same and a support on which said sections are mounted, of a spring locking-plate secured to one of said sections and having an incline thereon, cooperating locking means for said plate on said support and on the other of said sections, the latter section having a recess therein for receiving said plate and having an incline thereon adjacent to said recess, and means on said sup-v port for releasing said plate from its locking engagement with the cooperating means on said other section, the incline on said section adapted to engage the incline on said plate for forcing the same into locking engagement with the cooperating means on said support, as and for the purpose set forth.

lO. In an extension-bed for cameras, the combination with a plurality of sections, means for extending the same and a support on which said sections are mounted, of a spring locking-plate secured to one of said sections having an incline thereon and provided with perforations, a pin or projection on said supportadapted to enter one of said perforations, a pin or projection on the other of said sections adapted to enter another of said perforations, thesaid other section having a recess therein for receiving said plate and having an incline thereon adjacent to said recess, and means on said support for moving said plate away from said other section so as to disen gage the perforation therein from the pin on said section, the incline on said section adapted to engage the incline on said plate for moving the latter so as to cause the engagement of one of the perforations therein with the pin on said support, as and for the purpose set forth.

1l. In an extension-bed for cameras, the combination with a bed-plate, a plurality of extension-sections carried thereby and means for adjusting said sections, of a locking device operatively connect-ed with one of said sections, engaging means for said locking device carried by the other of said sections, engaging means for said locking device carried IOO IIO

d by the bed-plate, and Imeans for shifting the locking 4device into Ioperative relation to 'one or theotherof said engaging means, as and? for the purpose set lforth.

12. I-fn an extension-bed for cameras, they combination with a bed-plate, a plurality of extension-sec'tionscarriedthereby,and=means s for adjusting said sections, of alocking-de-E vice carried vby one .of said sections which; automatically engages another of said sections when the llatter 'is extended, to irmly lock Vthe sections together, and mea-ns on -thef bed-'plate in the path of said locking deviceA for releasing the locking engagement of the' sections when theextended section-`iabeingl retracted, and means vfor throwing said locking device into locking engagement with said f bed-plate, as and for the purpose set `forth.

13. In an extension-bed for cameras, the. combination with a :bed-plate, a plurality Vofextension-sections car-riedtherebyndmeans for adjusting said sections, of a .locking-plate carrried by .one-of said sections, means ca-r: ried by the otherof said sections with whichE the locking-plate engages automatically When the latter is extended, means carried iby the f bed-plate for engaging said llocking-plate, a` shifter arranged in the path -of said plate which operates to release the engagementof1 .the locking-plate with the extended section, i and .means formovin g said locking-plate i-nto engagement with the bed-plate during lthe retraction of said extended plate, snbstantially as described.

14. In an extension-bed for cameras, -`the combination with a bed-plate, a plurality of extension-sections carried thereby,and means I for ad justingsaid sections, of a locking-plate carried by'one of said sections, means for-engaging the locking-plateicarri-ed bythe-other of said sections and other means lfor engagi-ng said locking-plate carried by the bedpl-atre, a lock-shifter carried by the bed-plate and arranged inthe pathof the Vlocking-plate for disengaging the locking-plate from the extended section when the yextended section is retracted, -means for moving said 'lockingplate into engagement with the bedplate during the retraction-ef the extended section, and means lfor disengaging .the locking-plate fromsaid bed-plate and moving it into engagement with said other section-When the latter has reached 4the limit of its Iextension, as and for the purpose set forth.

15. In an extension-bed for cameras, the combination -W-ith a bed-plate, of a plurality 'of extension-sections 4carried thereby and provided with racks, a single pinion engaging sai-d racks Ifor adjustment-of both of said sections, a locking-plate carried by one lof said sections and adapted 4to automatically engage the other. thereof when extended, a lock-shifter adapted 'to release the engagement of said plate from the extended sec-tion, and means for forcing said locking-plate into engagement lwith the bed-plate when said extended section is bei-ng retracted, substantially as described.

- In testimony whereof I have heren-nto set my yhand 'in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

.CHARLES .HUTCI-IlN-GS.

Witnesses:

H. B. CARLTON, J. A. ROBERTSON. 

